Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

November 1 , 193 0 M o t i o n Picture News 43 "Whoopee" Big Smash in Dual Balto. 2nd Run Baltimore — With ideal weather prevailing for picture going, averages for the week were a little off at the majority of first-run houses. "Top Speed" pulled in about 90 per cent at Loew's Century with the gross figured at about $14,800. Audiences liked Joe E. Brown's humor immensely, but the story was considered somewhat weak. It is expected that the grosses will jump to high averages again after Nov. 3, when stage attractions will be put on with the regular talking picture program now that the differences with the musicians' union have been ironed out and the orchestra will go back into the pit with George Wild again conducting. While a gross estimated at about $12,600 was taken in at Loew's Stanley with "Billy, the Kid," this represented but 72 per cent of the normal 100 per cent and it is considered because people do not care for westerns as feature film fare in the big house, no matter hew well directed and acted. For the neighborhood houses on Saturdays for the kids — yes. "Whoopee," with Eddie Cantor, went over big >n two houses simultaneously even though it had been shown to a huge week at Loew's Stanley previously. At Loew's Parkway it grossed $5,200, or 139 per cent, while at Loew's Valencia downtown the gross was estimated at $3,900, or 111 per cent. Showing again that the public will go to see a fine picture that they like. "Renegades" proved a fine pulling picture at the New, doing an estimated 95 per cent business, the gross being figured at $9,500. Xothing but good comments on this by all who saw it. "Moby Dick" went into its Dopular-priced engagement at Warners' Metropolitan with a bang, going through the week with a gross figured at $5,400, representing 90 per cent. This after two weeks downtown at $1 top, nights. Estimated takings : "TOP SPEED" (F. N.) LOEW'S CENTURY— (3,076). 25c-60c, 6 days. Other attractions: News, "Nature's Freaks" (Columbia), "The Apache Kid" (Columbia), Our Gang in "Helping Grandma" (M-G-M). Gross: $14,800. Rating: 90%. "BILLY, THE KID" (M-G-M) LOEW'S STANLEY— (3,522). 25c-60c. 6 days. Other attractions: News, Burton Holmes' "Old Man River" (M-G-M traveltalk). "Main Stein Song" (Paramount song reel). Gross: $12,600. Rating: 72%. "WHOOPEE" (U. A.) (Shown simultaneously with Parkway uptown after one week at Loew's Stanley) LOEW'S VALENCIA— (1,487). 25c-35c, 6 days. Other attractions: News, "Zampa" (U. A. featurette), "The Imperial City" (FitzPatrick travelogue). Grosst $3,900. Rating: 111%. "WHOOPEE" (U. A.) (Shown simultaneously with the Valencia downtown after one week at the Stanley) LOEW'S PARKWAY— (987), lSc-3Sc, 6 days. Other attractions: News, "The Temple of Love" (FitzPatrick travelogue). Flip the Frog in "Flying Fists" (M-G-M cartoon). Gross: $5,200. Rating: 139%. "MOBY DICK" (W. B.) WARNERS' METROPOLITAN— (1.300), 15c-50c, 6 days, starting Saturday. Other attractions: News. "College Capers" and "Many Happy Returns" (Vitaphone Varieties). Gross: $5,400. Rating: 90%. "THE PAY OFF" (Radio) KEITH'S— (2.500), 25c-50c. Syi days. Other attractions: News, Krazy Kat cartoon "Midnight" (Van Beuren), Art Frank in "Old Man Whoopee" (Paramount act). Gross: S2.100. Rating: 45%. RENEGADES" (Fox) NEW— (1,600), 25c-50c, 6 days. Other attracti »ns: Balk Walkathon San Francisco — There will be no "walkathon" contests in Oakland. Permit to hold a contest similar to that completed in San Francisco last month was revoked by the Oakland city council when members of the Oakland Theater Managers' Club objected on grounds that it was "cruel and revolting." The contest was scheduled to be held under auspices of the East Oakland unit of the United Veterans of the Republic. Wedding Night's" $ 14,000 Is Best Providence Bet Providence — Business took somewhat of a lacing with political rallies, pro fights and wrestling, not to mention pony golf tournaments, eating into the profits of exhibitors. "Her Wedding Night," with $14,000, led the town, the only picture to go over 100%. Loew's State had a fair week with "DuBarry, Woman of Passion," garnering $16,500. "The gay Chevalier pulled $12,000 for the Paramount in "Playboy of Paris," which is not to be sneezed at in these times. The Majestic with "The Sea Wolf" was a trifle off at $11,500. "Her Man," the RKO Albee attraction, established a week-end record, but petered off during the week, cleaning up a nice $14,000, however. "Brothers," at the RKO Victory, couldn't seem to get under way, but hit around $8,000, which is around normal for this house. Estimated takings : "PLAYBOY OF PARIS" (Par.) PARAMOUNT— (2.300), 10c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Organlogue, "Marry or Else," news. Gross: $12,000. Rating: 90%. "DU BARRY, WOMAN OF PASSION" (UA) LOEW'S STATE (3,800). 10c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Charley Chase in "Dollar Dizzy;" organlogue, news. Gross: $16,500. Rating: 85%. "BROTHERS" (Col) RKO VICTORY— (1.600). 10c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Pathe Audio Review, "Kangaroo Steak" (cartoon Comedy). "Si. Si Senor," news. Gross: $8,000. Rating: 85%. "HER WEDDING NIGHT (Par.) RKO ALBEE— (2,300), 10c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Love Your Neighbors," comedy; "Touch down." Knute Rockne's football short, news. Gross: $14,000. Rating: 105%. "THE SEA WOLF" (Fox) MAJESTIC— (2.400). 10c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: "His Error," comedy; Vitaphone's "Alpine Echoes;" news. Gross: $11,500. Rating: 85%. News, "Don't Give Up" (Educational comedy). Gross: $9,500. Rating: 95%. "ABRAHAM LINCOLN" (U. A.) AUDITORIUM— (1,600). 50c-$1.50. with two reserved seat shows daily for 6 days. Other attractions: News, "My Gal Sal" (Paramount screen song), "Meet the Boy Friend" (Paramount comedy). Gross: $3,200. Rating: 40%. "THE ROYAL BOX" (W. B.) (In German) LITTLE— (267), 35c-50c, 6 days. Other attractions: "The Glow Worm" (Paramount novelty in German), "Creative Hands" (German). Gross: $850. Rating: 85%. "THE LOVE TRADER" (Tiffany) PALACE— (2,046). 25c-60c, 6 days. Other attractions: Mickey McGuire in "Mickey's Mix-up" (RKO comedy), "The Freshman's Goat" (Educational comedy). Gross: $6,300. Rating: 70%. "NIGHT WORK" (Pathe) RIVOLI-(l,982), 25c-50c, 6 days, starting Saturday. Other attractions: Charlotte Greenwood in "Love Your Neighbor" (Educational comedy). Mickey Mouse in "The Gorilla Mystery" (Columbia cartoon), news. Gross: $5,000. Rating: 62>/S. "PARDON MY GUN" (Pathe) HIPPODROME-(2,250). 20c-60c, 6 days, starting Saturday. Other attractions: Harvey Players, news, "The Indians Are Coming" (Universal serial). Gross: $8,500. Rating: 85%. "Scarlet Pages" and Ruggles Get $45,000 in Boston Boston — With "Hell's Angels" grossing $10,000 for the eighth week and continuing for another, United Artists have launched a second load show in Boston, "Abraham Lincoln," at the Majestic, which grossed $7,500 for 125 per cent for its first week and looks good for several weeks more. These two films, with "What a Widow" doing 115 per cent at Loew's Orpheum and "Du Barry, Woman of Passion," at Loew's State for a rating of 125 per cent, United Artists did approximately 50 per cent of the bu.iness of Boston during the week. "Scarlet Pages" at the Metropolitan, coupled with the personal appearance of Charles Ruggles, grossed $45,000 for 140 per cent, hitting the highest spot of any show in town for the week. "East Is West" at Keith Memorial grossed $25,000 for 115 per cent, while "Leathernecking" at the other Keith house grossed $24,000 for a rating of 125 per cent. "Moby Dick" at the Olympia .vas good for 110 per cent. The week's business dropped a bit from the preceding week, but exhibitors were satisfied with results. Estimated takings: "SCARLET PAGES" (First National) METROPOLITAN-(4,350). 25c-60c. 7 days. Other attractions: Charles Ruggles in person, Publix revue news. Gross: $45,000. Rating: 140% "EAST IS WEST" (Universal) KEITH MEMORIAL-(2.800), 30c-65c. 7 days. Other attractirns: Comedy. Sportlight, news. Gross: $25,000. Rating: 115%. "LEATHERNECKING" (RKO) KEITH-ALBEE— (2,500), 25c-60c. 7 days. Other attractions: Ken Murray in person, vaudeville, comedy, news. Gross: $24,000. Rating: 125%. "DU BARRY, WOMAN OF PASSION" (United Artists) LOEW'S STATE— (3,700), 3Oc-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Comedy, news. Gross: $24,000. Rating: 125%. "WHAT A WIDOW" (United Artists) LOEW'S ORPHEUM— (3,100), 25c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Vaudeville, news. Gross: $23,000. Rating: 115%. "HELL'S ANGELS" (United Artists) TREMONT-(1,800), 50c-$2, 6 days. Other attractions: None. Gross: $10,000. Rating: 90%. (Eighth week.) "THE SPOILERS" (Paramount) SCOLLAY SQUARE— (1.800), 25c-50c. 7 days. Other attractions: Vaudeville, comedy, news. Gross: $1,000. Rating: 115%. "MOBY DICK" (Warners) aLYMPIA-(2,500). 25c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Comedy, cartoon, news. Gross: $16,000. Rating: 110%. "ABRAHAM LINCOLN" (United Artists) MAJESTIC— (1,800), S0e-$1.50, 7 days. Other attractions: None. Gross: $7,500. Rating: 125%. Manager and Staff Indicted Under Blue Law Cincinnati — William E. Burton, manager of the Bexley, New Philadelphia, O., and six of his employees have just been indicted by the grand jury for participation in Sunday theatre operation last May. Forney E. Bowers, manager of the New Philadelphia theatre, arrested for Sunday violation last April 27, escaped indictment because Mayor W. F. Hurst's transcript erred in saving Sunday, April 28. Vote on Sundays Rutherford, N. J.— The people of this town will have an opportunity next month to vote on Sunday showings. There has been a difference of opinion in the council on the question, and it was decided to let the voters solve the problem.